Red Bull were slapped with a fine from the FIA at Formula 1‘s United States Grand Prix after a member of the team illegally gained access to the circuit after the formation lap began.
In a bizarre incident, an unnamed member the Milton Keynes-based squad’s was found to have re-entered the circuit after the cars had set off before forming on the grid for the start.
The incident was not caught by any of FOM’s race cameras, but was believed to have been spotted by CCTV at the Circuit of the Americas.
It is believed that the crew member re-entered the circuit in order to remove a marker [which was a piece of duct tape] left on the advertising hoardings by Lando Norris’ grid position, to enable the Brit to sufficiently see where to place his car at the start.
Norris started the race second next to Max Verstappen, who went on to win the race, with Norris also holding his position after a race-long battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The breach of protocol contravened Articles 12.2.1.h and 12.2.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code, and Red Bull were handed a fine of €50,000, half of which will be suspended until the end of the season.
Speaking after the race, Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies accepted the decision, but stated his belief that the team had committed no wrongdoing.
“We fully respect the stewards,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“But just to tell you what I know, I think we were summoned because it was felt that some time during the grid procedures one of our guys had not followed the official, some marshal instructions.
“And we spoke with our people. They are very positive that they have followed marshal instructions at all times.
“So I think it’s probably a misunderstanding there. Again, we went to see the video with the FIA. And for sure it’s something we can do better in the future.
“But certainly on our side we do not feel that we have ignored any instructions. We did not get any specific instructions.
“So I think it’s a very small thing but nonetheless something we will address in the future.”
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